PHOENIX, Sept. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In conjunction with World Rabies Day, North Central Animal Hospital announced that the practice is offering rabies vaccinations for $5. The discount is designed to encourage pet owners to make sure pets are up to date on this critical vaccination. Rabies is a virus that is passed between animals when infected saliva comes in contact with open wounds, or an infected animals bites a pet or a human. The virus has been seen all over the world and is common in the wild. Vaccinations are essential to preventing the disease from affecting family pets.
World Rabies Day is September 28, 2014 and to celebrate, North Central Animal Hospital is offering rabies vaccinations for only $5. The discounted vaccination rate is good through the end of 2014.
"Every year, beloved family pets must be put to sleep because they are exposed to a rabid wild animal," said Dr. Hillary Frank, a veterinarian at North Central Animal Hospital. "Keeping pets up to date on rabies vaccinations is the best way to prevent infection and avoid such a tragic end for beloved family pets."
Rabies is a serious viral disease that results in death for animals that are infected. The virus affects an animal's central nervous system, causing erratic, unpredictable behavior. When wild animals are affected, the virus often causes these animals to be more aggressive towards humans and pets. Rabid mountain lions, for instance, have attacked campers and their dogs almost every year in Arizona. If the pet is not vaccinated, it is at risk for rabies.
Dr. Frank stressed that even indoor pets need to be vaccinated against rabies.
"Indoor pets can contract rabies if a rabid animal enters the house through an attic or basement," said Dr. Frank. "Sadly, if the pet is not vaccinated against rabies, he may have to be put down or undergo a 6 month quarantine. Vaccinations are essential to ensuring pet and human safety."
Rabies symptoms typically appear about 10 days to two months after the initial infection but this can vary. A dog or cat that has bitten a person or another pet is quarantined for 10 days, because if the virus was transferred via saliva at the time of the bite, the animal will show symptoms or die from Rabies within 10 days.
There is no cure for rabies. Consequently, vaccinating pets is essential to protecting them from contracting the disease. Once a pet begins showing rabies symptoms, no medical intervention is available to stop the disease's progression.
Puppies and kittens are generally vaccinated against rabies by the age of three months. A second booster shot is given 12 months after the initial vaccination. Additional booster shots may be necessary every one to three years.
To schedule a $5 rabies vaccine appointment, contact North Central Animal Hospital at 602-395-9773.